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The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) defines green skills as 'the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a society which reduces the impact of human activity on the environment'. However, green skills can be defined in different ways. Green skills are often associated with 'green jobs', defined by the UK's Green Jobs Taskforce as 'employment in an activity that directly contributes to - or indirectly supports - the achievement of the UK's net zero emissions target and other environmental goals'. As the UK economy targets net zero by 2050, there will be greater demand for green skills in the workforce, which will vary over time. There will also be a risk of skills gaps (when workers lack necessary skills to complete their role) and skills shortages (when vacancies go unfilled due to a lack of skills in the workforce).

This POSTnote primarily focuses on green skills for net zero, although green skills are also needed to achieve wider environmental goals. Some of the policy in this area is devolved. This briefing mainly focuses on policy in England and refers to devolved executives in other nations of the UK where appropriate. Key points include that: (1) upskilling workers will be necessary to address green skills shortages, as well as increasing the workforce in key sectors; (2) stakeholders suggest that the quality and uptake of vocational education and training (such as apprenticeships) are important factors for developing green skills in the workforce; (3) there is regional variation in demand for, and access to, green skills, and stakeholders have identified opportunities to align skills policy with the levelling up agenda to reduce regional disparities; (4) policy certainty is seen as a key lever to promote upskilling; and (5) there is low public awareness of green skills and the available training options, which has been attributed to inconsistent definitions for green skills.

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